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N-FEERS. PHOTO LITNOGRAFHER WASHXNGTUN D C EDWARD T. JENKINS, OF RAVENSWOOD, NEW YORK.

Letters Pate-nt No. 76,772, dated April 14, 1868; mtted'ateJi/prz'l 7, 1868.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONGERN:

Be it known that I, EDWARD T. JENKINS, of Ravenswood, Queens county, New York, have invented, made, and applied to use, a new and useful Device for Closing Apertures; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and correct description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, in which- Fig-ure I is a view of my device for closing apertures.

Figure 2 is a. bottom view ofthe same.

Figure 3 is a view of the-saine as applied to ,a can for preserving fruit.

In the drawings, like parts et' the invention are pointed out by the same letters of referencel The nature of my invention consist-s in the construction and oper-ation, as more fully hereinafter described, of a new and usei'ul device for closing apertures, applicable tothe closing of cans for the preservation of meats, fruits, and vegetables, to the closing of kegs and barrels, and to other purposes.

To enable thoseskilled in the arts to make and use my invention, I will describe its construction and operation. i l

A shows a plate of metal provided with a central opening, through which isiinserted a'serew, B.

Beneath this plate ofv metal is placed a washer, C, of rubber,leather, or any suitable material, through which also passes the screw B.

D shows a second plate of meta-l, made oblong 01 oval, and smaller than the plate A, and having upon its under side a nut, d, Through 'this plate D the screw B passes, and .has inserted at its bottom end a pin, I), which bears against the bottom side ofthe nut d, andrserves'to hold the plate D upon the screw B.

'E is a pin attached to the plate A, and made of suHicicnt length to extend through the plate D, when the plate A is removed asfi'ar from-the plate D as the turning ofthe screw will allow. i

My device being thus-constructed, its operation is iis-follows: The lower plateoi' metal D is inserted within the opening to be`closed,b'y turning the ldevice so astobring itbl'eng'thwise across the opening to be closed, inserting one end ofthe piate D within tlie'opening, and carrying it'laterally after such insertion, so as to admit the opposite end, then turning the device so :1s to bring it directly over the opening,`and. tightening the screw B by means of a screw-driver or any proper tool. Y

As the screw is tightened, the same operating upon the nut LZ, causes the plate D to approach the plate A and washer C, and firmly fast-ens the same, the plate D, when the screw B is fully tightened, bearing upon -the under side of the metal or wood surrounding the opening, and the washer C and plate A, upon the upper side ofthe metal or wood, surrounding the opening, and thus effectnally closing the opening in the can, keg, barrel, or other article.

The pin E, passing through the plate D, prevents the sam'e turning when the screw D is turned.

When desired to remove the device, the screw is unfastened to its full extent, the device is turned as when desired to insert it, and the lower plate may be lifted out of the opening or aperture by moving the device laterally, and liberating one end of the plate D, when the rest ofthe plate will readily 'follow'.

.As previously stated, my device will be found particulerly'applicable to the closing of cans for the preservation of fruits, vegetables, and meats.

Having thus described my invention, what I clainras new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

I claim the combination oi the plates A and D, screwli, washer C, and pin E, for the purposes specified.

` EDWARD Ii JENKINS.

Witnesses:

A.. SIDNEY DOA-Nn, J. Ponen. 

